William “Lee” Phillips

William (known lovingly to family and friends by his middle name “Lee”) Phillips was born on May 14, 1953; the son of the late Martha Jane Phillips and late Jimmy James Phillips in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. As a child and young man, Lee was quick-witted, personable and reserved. As a man of many layers, he was known to be the one telling jokes and at the same time, could be found sitting amongst a group quietly observing, soaking in the music that was likely playing in the background from his record or cassette player. Even in the latter years of his life, Lee would be known by towners “as the man sitting there with his music,” a pastime Lee enjoyed immensely. Over the years, Lee would acquire several vinyl records and cassette tapes including some of his favorite artists/groups: New Birth, Bobby Womack and Lou Rawls. Music, jokes and being a “cool, nice guy” would become synonymous with describing Lee. 

Growing up, Lee was fond of football, baseball and boxing; so much so that a promoter approached Lee in the train station with an invitation to start training while with his brother Robert. He would pursue boxing training later on and throughout his adult life. Although quick on his feet as a skilled fighter, Lee also had a heart for people and would quickly give to those around him. His phrase was “if I got it, you got it” and even if others’ intentions were not pure, Lee would say “You cannot ‘take advantage’ of me because I know what I’m doing.” And while Lee never professed to be perfect or without faults, that spoke to the core of who he was as a person.  

With his incredible self-awareness, Lee would discover he enjoyed doing active work and being independent more than sitting in a rote, academic setting. As Lee described to his daughter Latoya in his reflections regarding school, “I don’t like sitting still. And I don’t like being talked to a certain way.” At the age of 14, he left school to start working on a tobacco farm and also started developing his skills in carpentry. Lee left Rocky Mount around the age of 16 to come up north. During this time, he honed in his impeccable natural skills as a carpenter, plumber, electrician and mechanic. Lee could look at or hear a car and know exactly what was wrong with it and fix the issue immediately. In the same way, he had the same gift to  “just know” what the problem was as a plumber and electrician at first sight. This allowed Lee to establish himself across Central Jersey as someone folks could call on for quality, efficient work around their homes as a private contractor in home remodeling, repair and improvement- which he pursued until 2017 when he underwent leg removal surgery. Even then, Lee was known to help his neighbors via traveling with his electric scooter. One thing about Lee was his determination; and he was insistent upon making the most of life regardless of any seemingly physical limitations. 

In the mid-1970s, Lee became a father to two daughters and one adopted son (all to whom he is preceded) with his ex-wife, Betty: Michael Arrington, Stacey Lee Phillips and Laquinda Phillips, mother to Lee’s grandchildren: Kanisha Poole, Tyleek Long and Twanisha Howard, mother of Lee’s great-granddaughter, Zy-Asia Howard. In the late 1980s, Lee became a father to Latoya Landfair and Brandon Landfair, father of Lee’s grandson: Brandon Lee Landfair, Jr. It was around Latoya and Brandon’s toddler years that Lee met his “brother” and best friend, David Williams. David and Lee were like two peas in a pod and “if you saw one, you saw the other.” Lee would mentor David and the two would go into the home improvement business together for several years, establishing themselves as a powerful duo in the field. Along with David, Lee had a circle of friends to whom he would remain tight-knit and loyal for over thirty-years who will miss him dearly. 

The concept of being a sibling was important to Lee and is evidenced by the closeness of Lee and his biological siblings. Although in separate states, Lee and his siblings made it a priority to call and spend quality in-person time with each other frequently. Lee is preceded by his brothers Joseph Armstrong and Carlton Phillips, and late sister Jannie Macklin. Lee leaves to cherish beautiful memories of times spent with their beloved brother to his brothers: Robert Armstrong, Jimmy Phillips and Donald Phillips; as well as to his sisters: Camellia Jones, Doris “Dee” Harrison and Martha “Diane” Tilery. Lee also leaves fond memories of love, humor and music to a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. 

As family and friends would describe him, “Lee was not the type to bother anyone. He was not a trouble-maker. But he had no problem defending himself once you crossed the line. But he would warn you!” Lee’s congenial, fighting spirit would carry him through the many illnesses he fought against throughout the last 20 years of his life, especially in his last year. It was also during this time that Lee made an effort to make peace with whom there may have been any misunderstanding or contention, with an intimate understanding of the fragility of life. Despite all he went through physically, Lee was never one to complain or take on a victim mentality- and anything he could do independently, he would do it. This would be Lee’s mentality even on his last day with us as he transitioned to be with The Lord on December 9, 2022. 

Every single day, from the day Lee was diagnosed in March 2022, Lee showed joy, persistence, optimism and faith. In the last year of his life, Lee recommitted his life back to Christ, declaring that Jesus is his Lord who died for his sins and could often be found praying with his daughter, Latoya. Although he is no longer with us in the body, we can rejoice that Lee will have complete healing and a new body in Heaven with God. We carry with us Jesus, faith, resilience, laughter and kindly loving on people in our beloved Lee’s memory.